Betting the Kennedy Road Stakes

A cast of six will run six panels on the Tapeta at Woodbine in Saturday’s $175,000 Kennedy Road S. (G2). Local standout #1 Patches O’Houlihan (4-5) is a perfect 4-for-4 this season and is the obvious one to beat. Trained by Robert Tiller, the four-year-old son of Reload suffered his lone synthetic setback in this race in his 2023 finale, but I don’t expect him to slip up this time around. 

Kennedy Road Wagers

• $25 trifecta 1 with 2 with 3 ($25)
• $10 trifecta 1 with 3 with 2 ($10)

The fleet Ontario-bred showed his versatility last time when re-rallying in the lane en route to a 1 1/2-length tally in the Nearctic S. (G2) on the local turf. He is fast and difficult to pass, and the gelding also sports a 9-for-10 lifetime mark at Woodbine. Sofia Vives will ride and put this one on the front end soon after the break. 

#2 Flag of Honour (5-1) has gone off form in a pair of races on the turf as of late, but the American Pharoah gelding gets back on the all-weather, and I’m expecting a big turnaround from the five-year-old. A winner of this event last campaign and the Jacques Cartier S. (G3) in June, the upset contender has run quite well in each of his four local attempts on the course to date and rates a big chance to complete the exacta. The Aussie import has tactical speed and could sit a nice trip right off of the favorite to the top of the lane in the dash. Sahin Civaci will be in the stirrups atop the second choice. 

Godolphin homebred #3 Remuda (4-1) looked the part in his synthetic bow when rallying for a clear second behind the top pick in the Vigil S. (G3) most recently. The gray son of More Than Ready employed a new running style in that heat, and the tactic nearly paid off in a big way, as he registered a strong 102 Brisnet Late Pace figure. Five-year-old might need some help up front to aid his closing burst, but he remains a top-three contender, nonetheless, with Rafael Hernandez riding.